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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's future is uncertain but an unlikely campaign for him to stay was growing online this week, including from people who are his natural political opponents.

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The life raft has emerged since Upper House elections on July 20 deprived Mr Ishiba's coalition of an Upper House majority, months after it suffered a similar disaster in the Lower Chamber.

Despite Mr Ishiba, 68, insisting that he has not discussed his resignation with members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), multiple reports say that it is just a matter of time.

Some conservative members of the LDP are collecting signatures to hold a special meeting to discuss a leadership election to oust Mr Ishiba, Fuji TV reported on July 25.

One reported signee is Ms Sanae Takaichi, a hardline nationalist and one-time heavy metal drummer who lost a leadership contest to Mr Ishiba in September. Ms Takaichi, 64, would likely run again to lead the party and become Japan's first woman prime minister if she wins - if Mr Ishiba does depart.